Netflix’s British crime drama starring Steve Coogan and Tom Burke, has earned rave reviews and is being compared to prestige series like ‘The Wire’ by viewers
The show was released in May 2026(Image: Courtesy of Netflix)
This British crime thriller is setting tongues wagging among television enthusiasts for its gripping narrative, and with a brand new season currently available, it’s the ultimate binge-watch.
Set against the backdrop of the early 1990s, the programme is a fictionalised retelling of an authentic story centred around a group of British customs investigators who infiltrated the drug underworld.
The tale is loosely inspired by a series of customs operations that took place throughout the 1980s, which successfully intercepted several tonnes of narcotics, despite operating on an extremely tight budget with minimal resources.
Legends is a television series crafted by Neil Forsyth that made its Netflix debut this May and has continued to win over both audiences and critics in equal measure. Propelling the series into viewers’ living rooms is its undeniably gifted ensemble cast, comprising Steve Coogan, Tom Burke, Hayley Squires, and Aml Ameen.
Viewers were swift to praise the performances and how they elevated the programme to rank amongst their all-time favourites. One Rotten Tomatoes review says: “I watch a great deal of British crime dramas. I highly recommend this series.
“Tom Burke is an extraordinary actor, and he does an amazing job in this series. He can express more with a look than many writers can say in words. Don’t miss it! You won’t be sorry.”
What captivates audiences most is the programme’s sense of “realism”, featuring ordinary working-class people navigating challenging circumstances.
Each of the principal characters possesses compelling motivation behind their resolve to tackle the substantial problem of drugs flooding across the border, including a northerner determined to combat the devastation narcotics have wreaked upon her community.
Now, presented with the chance to undertake work that proves both thrilling and fulfilling, they all seize the opportunity of finding themselves in this predicament. However, the mission ahead proves no straightforward endeavour, as the improbable squad are deployed undercover with fresh identities, confronting some of Britain’s most perilous criminal organisations.
Another viewer said: “Brilliantly written, brilliantly acted, brilliantly put together. As crime dramas go, it’s as close to The Wire (which, in my opinion, is perfect) as any British crime drama ever has. A brilliant ensemble cast with a few standout performances, Tom Burke especially. Great use of 90s music to help take the viewer back to the time.”
The six-episode series has accumulated an exceptional overall rating on Rotten Tomatoes, achieving 97% within mere weeks.
One viewer declared: “I was completely gripped from start to finish, and I have to say it is the most entertaining programme I have watched all year so far. The cast are excellent throughout, and the storyline is compelling.”
An audience member even declared that Legends is “one of the best crime series” they’ve seen in recent years.
They proceeded to describe how its sense of “realism” is what captivated them, explaining: “Unlike other excellent shows such as Money Heist, which often embrace spectacle and larger-than-life situations, Legends feels grounded and believable from start to finish.”
Legends is streaming on Netflix now.
